R26.9 – Unspecified abnormalities of gait and mobility

R26.9 Diagnosis Code: Unspecified abnormalities of gait and mobility

• R26.9 is a billable ICD-10-CL code for healthcare diagnosis reimbursement of unspecified abnormalities of gait and mobility. 
• The ICD-10-CM version R26.9 is used to diagnose unspecified abnormalities of gait and mobility in America. The code for the corresponding diagnosis may differ internationally.
• It’s under the umbrella category of “Symptoms, signs, and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified.” More specifically, it’s under “Abnormalities of gait and mobility.”
• The code can only be used if the practitioner thinks the other similar codes don’t accurately describe or match the patient’s walking difficulties or if the clinical information is unknown or unavailable. It’s usually used to describe functional gait disorder or abnormal gait. 
• Note that practitioners cannot use this as a principal diagnosis, especially when a more specific diagnosis has been made.

Is R26.9 Billable?

Yes. R26.9 is billable for insurance reimbursement purposes.

Clinical Information

• Functional gait is a disorder wherein, because of a nervous system malfunction, certain body parts of the patient are moving abnormally and involuntarily. 
• The diagnosis is only considered if any other condition or disease cannot explain the patient’s movement.
• Some symptoms of this disorder are feeling anxious about falling, crouching, excessive swaying, taking small steps slowly, suddenly collapsing, dragging a leg, and extra movements that may affect one’s balance. 
• Those at risk of this disorder have a family history of neurologic disorders, those who went through stressful or traumatic events, those with a mental health condition, or those with a neurological disorder or disease. 
• To come to a diagnosis, a practitioner will conduct a physical assessment and may consult a mental health practitioner or neurologist to eliminate other possible diagnoses. 
• Treatment varies depending on the patient’s signs and symptoms, but generally, they are one or a combination of therapy, mobility aids, medication, and surgery.

Synonyms Include:

• Abnormal gait
• Functional gait abnormality
• Incongruous gait
• Gait abnormality
• High-level sensorimotor gait disorder

Other ICD-10 Codes Commonly Used for Unspecified Abnormalities

• R00.9: Unspecified abnormalities of heartbeat
• R06.9: Unspecified abnormalities of breathing